Friday, August 6, 2010

The Road On Race Photos

So after 10 or so races I finally saw a race photograph of me that kind of looked OK.  But it took me most of the afternoon to decide that it was, in fact, "OK".  I obsessively went back to the website every hour and then finally (and shamelessly) solicited the opinions of others. 

Gathering opinions was a mistake.  Rule 2564(a) of how I live my life with one foot in the music business and the other in endurance sports specifically states that "under no circumstances, including holiday parties, trade shows, or other work related activities (regardless of the potential plausible deniability afforded (to me) due to the amount of alcohol being consumed by co-workers) will you admit or otherwise demonstrate that you wear lycra to people you work with".

Since until today I'd never actually seen a photo of myself that I would consider buying, I'd never bothered to look at the prices.  But I was kinda/sorta thinking I wanted to buy this one.  So I went back to the site, moved the photo into the shopping cart, and hit "check-out".

$16.95 for a "medium size" jpeg.  Really?   And what's a "medium sized" jpeg anyway?  I'd like that access to that information without having to search through the photo site's FAQ page all night.  After all, I'm being asked to spend a very specific amount of money on a very arbitrarily described product.  How about a little quid pro quo?

Yes, I'm a total hypocrite.  I'll spend thousands on bikes, hundreds on running shoes and I feel bad (for myself) if I don't put at least fifty bucks into the coffers of the local bike shop each month.  But I am not down with $16.95 for a "medium sized" jpeg.  Why?  Because I'm a selectively cheap bastard, that's why.

I'm buying it, but under extreme duress.

19 comments:

valen said...

Hi!, got your tee!. photos coming soon.
I'm partial on this topic, as my wife does a bit of sport photography. These guys don't really make a big buck out of it here in NZ, probably 2 to 3 % of the field will buy a photo, and there's a fair bit of post production involved. I'd say 17 bucks is a fair price for a full day of work and another of post production (plus transport, employees, wear and tear, etc).
I would happily pay 10 extra dollars in race fees if it includes one photo. Race organizers are not quite interested in it.

Barbie said...

I love race photos and I think yours is smashing. I think its important to get a snap shot of every race you enter to capture the total emotion of the day.

krystyna47 said...

I think the cost is prohibitive per photo, and that's why so few of the racers actually buy one!! If cost went down (in iTunes style), then farrr more people would buy a couple photos that they like of themselves racing. I mean, when a photo costs nearly 20$, that's often 1/3 of the price of entry if it were a Sprint or an Olympic. Absolutely CRAZY!!!
I want to support sports photographers, but the companies behind it all are pricing it all wrong, that's for sure.

Tri-James said...

Photography, as well as all intellectual property is a sticky wicket. In our current mass media culture most people believe that if they can take it then it is free (audio, video, images, software).

In addition, I hear people say that if things were cheaper they would buy them – but when it comes to pulling the credit card out of the wallet – well that is a different story.

By the way, I love my “free yourself” t-shirt and I will gladly send in a largish sized photograph for a nominal fee.

By the way - 102 followers! woot.

shel said...

race photos are heinous 95% of the time... but when you see a good one you are willing to shell out your life savings for it :-)

Allie said...

I always look awful in race photos, like I'm about to hurl or something. I do have one race photo hanging in my house but it's from my first half marathon and it's after the race was over.
I understand why they're so expensive but I usually save up for my entry and hotel and by the time I get home and look at race photos I'm broke.

ajh said...

I haven't bought many race photos but if you haven't bought any you are due. And the price isn't bad really!

Big Clyde said...

You look cool in it. I think it is a good decision to buy it.

KovasP said...

I would think the amount of technical wizardry it took to make you look good is probably worth $15.00 at most. Since you already bought it, I say, great job!

Molly said...

I have yet to buy a race photo, although some of them have been good....I don't know what the heck I'm waiting for.

Jennifer said...

Never seen a race photo of me that I liked. Did buy one once though...

misszippy said...

Too funny on the grief you are getting at work! But it's a great pic and you're a stud, so you are having the last laugh.

I rarely buy race pics either, for the same reason--don't often like them. But when a good one comes along, it's worth spending a few pennies, I think.

Chris K said...

Very sound decision. You just gotsta have a good race photo every couple of years. You will not regret this decision for one nanosecond.

J. L. said...

It is crazy what we spend our money on. I would pay $20 for a good race photo. I have found only one, but this specific race photo was a package deal, not so cheap. So I didn't get it. I like the idea of $10 of a race fee going to photos

KC (my 140 point 6 mile journey) said...

Very nice pic!! I'm with you though...i will easily spend a couple grand for gear but i've yet to ever by a race picture!

Shannon (IronTexasMommy) said...

Good choice! I always cringe when looking at the race photos. The photographers always seem to snap one the nanosecond before you realize they're there.. and I end up with some evil-looking stare down which, quite honestly, is quickly replaced with an attempted smile..depending on the distance, of course. Nice pic!

Glenn Jones said...

Well - actually that *is* a good picture. Sure beats the crap out of some ofmine - including the one at the en of SD RnR with the bloody nipples....

Lindsay said...

That is a great race photo! Prices... Have never been. Why yes, I'd love to pay $25 for a 4x6, thanks!! I guess thank goodness mine always turn out bad?

Aimee said...

Ha...I am the same way with race pictures! Even if I love a picture, I just can't being myself to pay $20 for it! I do have to say that that is a good race pic though! :)

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